CAR DOCTOR Q&A
Q. I have 2020 Buick and occasionally, I get steam coming from under the hood. I returned to the dealer and they checked it over, but it still steams. It runs fine and there are no warning lights, what is going on?
A. I don’t think you have a problem. This has been going on for years. Rain, water from the car wash or dew can accumulate on the fan or air conditioner condenser and under just the right conditions the moisture turns into plumes of steam. I agree with the dealer, there isn’t a problem.
Q. I just purchased a only driven by a “little -oldlady 2000 Toyota Avalon. The car looks brand new and I don’t think anyone has ever sat in the back seat. The car has a computer display and it won’t update to 2020, in fact it only will update to 2018. Is there anything I can do to get the correct dates for the on-board computer?
A. From what I can determine it doesn’t look like there is anything you can do unless Toyota updates the computer system. According to the website timeanddate.com 1992 had the same day and dates. If this works next year you will have to “fool” the system into thinking it is 2010.
Q. We have a 2013 VW Passat, for the past 8 months the check engine light has been going on and off. Two mechanics look at it, told us engine is okay. They said the light is on because we have only driven only 24,000 miles in past 6 years. We lived in the city and most of the time we used public transportation. We have now moved out of the city, but we still don’t drive that often since we are working from home. Mechanics turned the light off, but it came on again sometimes in a few hours, other times in a few weeks. We have been driving the car with no problem. However, we want to get bottom of this problem as manual doesn’t give much of guidance. Even dealership’s mechanic was not very helpful and just said since the car is seven year’s old and it would be cheaper to live with the light going on and off. Please give us your advice.
A. If you have an older Volkswagen it seems as if the check engine light will be on. The check engine light comes on the car’s computer system is generating a fault code. The fault code could be the result of a sensor that is outside of its normal operating limit or an actual failure of an associated part. Since the car runs well, my suspicion is the problem is related to the evaporative emissions system. This could be a leaking hose, faulty gas cap or a pump or solenoid. The fault code isn’t the answer to the problem but does help the technician find the source of the problem.
Q. I have a 2008 Jeep Commander that acts like it is going to die once the truck is started and is turned off and back on again. When it first starts it is fine unless it’s been driven. Help, I would like to keep this Jeep until Jeep comes out with another three-row vehicle.
A. A couple of items worth looking at are exhaust gas recirculation valve (it could be sticking open once the engine gets warm). The second item and it can be checked with a scan tool is the crankshaft sensor. The crankshaft sensor has been problematic and will either cause a no-start condition or poor running after a restart. The rumors are that there will be a three row Jeep, but you may need to wait at least another year or two. If you can’t wait the Dodge Durango comes in three rows.
Q. I have a 2000 Saab 9-5 wagon with 211,000 miles on the body. A used engine was installed 15,000 miles ago. I am experiencing a rumbling/bucking/near-stalling when I come to a stop after driving a few blocks. To prevent stalling at a stop, I quickly shift to neutral, and shift back to drive. It then begins to display the same problems but as I accelerate it smooths out. After a few miles it is okay for the rest of the drive. Except for this stalling and a little rust, as a third car it serves all my needs. My mechanic diagnosed this as a transmission problem. If I want to fix the car, he suggests a used low mileage transmission at a cost of $1,200 for parts and labor. I good used car would cost more than the repair
A. I agree from your description the issue presents as a transmission problem. I’m guessing that your shop looked for other issues and computer codes. Finding a good used transmission is always a challenge and finding one for an almost 20year old Saab is a gamble. As a general rule the part from a salvage yard may be warranted but the labor is not, so if the replacement transmission fails you may be responsible for the labor to repeat the job. I would go to a transmission specialist to verify the transmission is the problem. It is always cheaper to fix an old car than buy a new one, but at 23 years old it may be time to move on.
— John Paul, Senior Manager, Public Affairs and Traffic Safety, AAA Northeast